Roddy White apparently slipped up when he revealed via Twitter two weeks ago that the Atlanta Falcons are switching to a 3-4 defense in 2014.

"We changed what we are calling the guys, but we are doing what we've done in the past," coach Mike Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday. "We are going to be very multiple."

Smith's sentiments echo those of general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who explained the signings of 3-4 specialists Paul Soliai and Tyson Jackson two weeks ago.

"Defensively right now, the way the league is, there's so much creativity," Dimitroff said, via the team's official website. "A guy like Mike Nolan at the helm as a defensive coordinator, he's very creative with how he works things. Unfortunately, maybe we didn't have all the personnel we needed to truly fit into the 3-4 schemes at times and use that as a really strong base defense."

It's not that Nolan will not feature 3-4 fronts next season. It's just that his base defense is amorphous because of the "multiplicity" of looks.

Whether the Falcons set up in a 4-3 or a 3-4, Soliai and Jackson primarily will be used in run situations. When the offense counters with three-, four- or five-wide receiver sets on passing downs, Nolan will deploy two linebackers and five defensive backs with more pass rushers up front.

"When you really look at defensive football, it's changed," Smith added. "It's changed a lot over the last 10 years when you start talking about what your base defense is; your base defense is your sub-package."

The latest "Around The League Podcast" reviews potential landing spots for DeSean Jackson and declares this week's winners and losers....................................

Two ways the Falcons could handle the first couple of rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft.

Yesterday I had the chance to talk to Aaron Freeman at FalcFans, one of our oldest friends here at The Falcoholic. We covered quite a bit of ground in the podcast, which you'll be able to hear in a day or two, but one thing in particular inspired this article: How the draft might unfold.

As I see it, the Falcon will go one of two different directions in the first round of the draft. I don't claim to know which of these is likelier, but in essence, I anticipate the Falcons selecting a pass rusher or a tackle. If Jadeveon Clowney is the trade-up target or Khalil Mack falls to #6, you'd be hard-pressed to argue against that. If both of those guys are gone—or if the Falcons are just sick of looking at their current crop of tackles—Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews would likely be the choices.

Both of those scenarios have cascade effects on the rest of the draft. For our purposes today, I'm going to talk about how either of those would effect the second and third rounds.Scenario #1: The Pass Rusher

It's no great secret that the Falcons need a safety, and there's no question they'll be looking hard at the incoming group of rookies to fill that need. If they stick a pass rusher in the first round, it becomes much more likely that a safety will be a target in the second round.

The reason for this has everything to do with the tackle class. Jack Mewhort and Joel Bitonio are fine players, but there's little question that this tackle class thins out significantly after Robinson, Matthews and arguably Lewan. On the other hand, the second round should have a handful of useful safeties available. The Falcons could also go for the classic double dip and pick up two pass rushers.

In this scenario, tackle is a third or fourth round grab, the Falcons focus on the defensive side of the ball and they hopefully get an impact pass rusher or two along the way.Scenario #2: The Tackle

Remember the double dip I just mentioned? That's a possibility because there are quite a few useful pass rushers who may be available in the top of the second round.

That's critical if the Falcons decide to select a tackle. No matter how much faith you're willing to put in young players like Jonathan Massaquoi and Malliciah Goodman, the pass rush won't be fixed by leaning heavily on current players and tweaking the defensive front. This is a team in need of a talent infusion off the edge.

If the Falcons do go with Robinson or Matthews at #6, they could look hard at Dee Ford, Jeremiah Attaochu, Scott Crichton, Demarcus Lawrence, and so forth at #37. Not all of those players will make it there, but there promises to be some legitimately intriguing options available by the time the team's pick rolls around.

In this scenario, you can look at safety in the 3rd round, where there should still be some useful players available. It would be a heavily needs-based start to the draft, but it's certainly a strong possibly under this scenario.

I'm not ruling out any other positions or needs in the first round, and I'm not completely killing a trade down. The fact remains that the Falcons are extremely likely to target a tackle of pass rusher with their first pick. The choice they make could very well have a profound effect on how they address the rest of their needs moving down the draft board.

Offensive tackle isn't sexy but it's hard to find quality franchise tackles later in the draft. I'd grab Robinson/Matthews at 6 and fill in the pass rush in the 2nd & 3rd rounds.

Its not that hard if you're looking for a right tackle. Left tackle? Yeah you gotta pull trigger in Rd 1 or 2 mainly.

though the Atlanta Falcons still believe in Sam Baker, there is no guarantee he will remain at left tackle moving forward.

BakerGeneral manager Thomas Dimitroff didn’t come out and say Baker would be moved, but he did imply the Falcons have the option of switching the former first-round pick to right tackle, if needed.

"I think having a tackle that you can bring in who is versatile enough to play both left and right is very important for the National Football League in today’s game," Dimitroff said when asked if the team might consider moving Baker, depending on the health of his surgically repaired knee.

In the same breath, Dimitroff seemed optimistic about Baker being the left tackle he was a few seasons ago, despite coming off season-ending knee surgery. Baker has played left tackle since his rookie season. He became a left tackle in college at USC after starting his college career as a guard.

"We’re confident that Sam is going to be ready to go," Dimitroff said. "And we expect him to return to the form that he was in 2012."

Baker was hampered by a left knee issue throughout last season. He had platelet rich plasma treatment (PRP) with his knee, apparently specific to his patellar tendon. But his knee didn’t respond well enough to keep him from avoiding surgery.

Although Baker, who will count $6.05 million against the cap in 2014, is expected to be back healthy again, the Falcons still have to plan ahead. Drafting a player such as Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson or Texas A&M tackle Jake Matthews could be a part of the equation if the team prioritizes improving protection and run blocking over getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Falcons won’t target a high-caliber offensive tackle in free agency, although they are expected to pursue either a guard or center on the open market.

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